Search

Search only in certain items:

Stranger in a Strange Land
10
9.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was phenomenal. I listened to it through an audio version and would highly recommend doing so. When this was recommended to me by a friend I skeptically gave it a try and it has turned out to be one of my favorite books of this year.

This book takes you through a journey of discovering quite a bit about human-kind and our nuances to be awful to each other. This can be extremely humorous or extremely sad depending on the circumstances. There are also parts of this that will push your boundaries of what you find to be morally or ethically acceptable.
  
Humorous (2 more)
Informative
Intriguing
A fun book about a generally taboo subject
I first came across Caitlin Doughty when her YouTube channel 'Ask A Mortician' came up on suggestions. I loved how she was able to talk about such a typically taboo and awkward subject in such an engaging way, and when I found out about her books I knew I had to read them. She writes as she speaks, which means these books often take a light hearted approach, which can make the subject matter easier to deal with. I highly recommend this book to anyone who isn't afraid to step outside the norm :)
  
40x40

Christine A. (965 KP) rated Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits in Books

Nov 14, 2018 (Updated May 29, 2020)  
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits
David Wong | 2015
7
8.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Humorous Sci-Fi book 1 of the Zoey Ashe series
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

When Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong was available to read for review, I was pleasantly surprised, primarily since it was published in 2015. I had read it for a book club in 2016 and remembered how much I enjoyed the story and its humor. My memory was indeed correct.

Wong is known for wit in his novels, and Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits is no exception. It falls into his usual writing genre - humorous SciFi. I realized I should not read his book while at work because I chuckle out loud.

The main character, Zoey, has a ton of snarkiness and a very smelly cat. It is "a world in which anyone can have the powers of a god or the fame of a pop star." It is worse than big brother watching you. It is an entire world in which an all-seeing social network tracks your every move. Villians have superhuman enhancements. Ok, yes, sometimes they do not work, and people blow up.

Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick, book two in the Zoey Ashe series will be released in October 2020, so you have plenty of time to read Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/28/20.
  
We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1
We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1
Dennis E. Taylor | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.5 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Epic sci-fi with hints of existential philosophy
Dennis E Taylor hits legend status with We Are Bob, creating an entire universe based on essentially a godlike figure who happens to be a computer with the implanted memories and humanity of an ordinary man named Bob.

The character is hugely witty, intelligent and his former project management position makes the listener question is this how a higher being does it? Creating clones and minions of himself, Bob 1.0 delegates them to saves millions of civilians as earth is no longer a viable planet.

It's claustrophobic, creepy at times but mostly wonderfully engaging and humorous. Prepared to be confused by the various Bobs about.
  
Nabari No Ou - Book 1
Nabari No Ou - Book 1
Yuhki Kamatani | 2004 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nabari No Ou is a manga series about a middle school-aged boy that finds out that he holds a very sought-after secret power of a hidden ninja realm. While the book does contain some bloody and violent scenes, it also provides a look at school life, and plenty of humor. It's serious with a humorous overtone. The art is cute, and the book is pretty quick to read. However, you'll want to spend a little time studying the action in some of the drawings so that you don't miss what's going on. I wasn't sure what to expect from this manga, but I've been pleasantly surprised! It's definitely worth a read.
  
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
2002 | Horror
Introducing reality TV star Michael Myers!
Some people were turned off by the different style and almost humorous take on the ongoing Michael saga, but I thought it was a pleasant surprise.

Inject more young, fun actors like Busta Rhymes, Katee Sackhoff, Thomas Ian Nicholas and even Tyra Banks and what you have is a masterpiece of horror (not really, but at least something a little different).

Interesting idea to place a bunch of unknowns in Michael's childhood home as part of a reality show and watch the calamity ensue when bad things start to happen (and then the real Michael shows up).

Seems like I enjoyed more than most.

  
Anansi Boys
Anansi Boys
Neil Gaiman | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Don't compare this book to American Gods. You will be disappointed; for good reason. Unlike American Gods, this is Anansi's book (or his son's book). This book is humorous, silly, and whimsical in its lightness. Not to suggest the West African trickster can't be dark and scary that is just not the point in this story. Some parts do get dark and scary.
It is a story of family among other things. For people who are not a mythology nut like me. There are stories about Anansi in the book (somewhat like the coming to America stories in American Gods) so you will have an idea who this slightly random god is.
  
40x40

Katie (868 KP) rated The Howl (1970) in Movies

May 21, 2020  
The Howl (1970)
The Howl (1970)
1970 | Comedy, International
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Tina Aumont (1 more)
Some impactful imagery
Likely animal cruelty (0 more)
To break, broke, broken
This film is so many things. Sad, darkly beautiful, surreal, humorous, grotesque... I could go on. It’s certainly a lot to take in and a lot to consider. Some moments so visceral it’s painful to watch. With its commentary on humanity and society and its impactful imagery it is a film I will not soon forget.

If it weren't for the probably unsimulated animal cruelty depicted in the film I would give it a fairly high score. If you can endure that there are moments of the film worth seeing. But I don’t blame a person for steering clear of it.
  
David Sedaris Diaries: A Visual Compendium
David Sedaris Diaries: A Visual Compendium
Jeffrey Jenkins, David Sedaris | 2017 | Biography
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
David Sedaris—Live for your listening pleasure (Audio)
Genre: Radio show
Rating: 4/5
 
David Sedaris tells story after humorous story, always pulling laughs from his audience (the audio recording is live). This short collection of memoir-esque stories will keep you laughing the whole way through.

The recording features four stories and several diary entries that are sure to have you grinning at the least and crying from laughing at the most.

Content: There was some mild language and some sexual references. Not for the easily offended.

Recommendation: Ages 18+ to anyone who enjoys radio shows, comedy, or just needs a good laugh and a break from reality.

**Thank you to Anna from Hachette Audio for providing my review copy!**
  
40x40

Cori June (3033 KP) rated Good Omens in TV

Jun 5, 2019  
Good Omens
Good Omens
2019 | Comedy, Sci-Fi
Casting (2 more)
Death
Close to source material
Wish death's voice was more grandiose (0 more)
Fun show witty and humorous. I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett and Niel Gaiman; I was excited to know that Niel helped with the TV writing. If you're a fan of the book or not, hopefully you enjoy it as much as I have watching it as I. The only complaint is that I wish Death's voice was a little more grandiose, the hollowness of it was great but it wasn't as large as I thought it could have been, as Terry Pratchett's Death is one of my top three favorite Death Characters in more than a bit picky about it; his acting was spot on.